Torch

ABSTRACT

A torch comprising a frame structure with a fuel container disposed therein, a flame guard cap extending upwardly from the frame with an aperture formed therein, a wick disposed in the aperture, and a rotatable snuffer cap attached to the frame and adapted to cover the wick.

This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/596,872 filedJun. 19, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Outdoor entertaining during the evening hours has become quite popular.One method of providing lighting while at the same time creating anatmosphere of conviviality is to utilize open flame torches.

Traditionally, torches have included the basic fuel container, wick andsnuffer cap. Typically, the snuffer cap is attached to the fuelcontainer or frame therefor by such means as a chain or wire. Of course,in order to extinguish the flame, this type of snuffer cap must begrasped by using tongs, a towel and the like. Since the flame andsurrounding metal parts are quite hot, this means of extinguishing theflame is quite cumbersome and somewhat dangerous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A torch comprising a frame with a fuel container disposed therein, aflame guard cap extending upwardly from the fuel container and having anaperture formed therein, a wick disposed in the aperture, a snuffer caprotatably mounted on the frame and adapted to selectively cover thewick. Rotational movement of the snuffer cap is accomplished by means ofa U-shaped clip which is pivoted to the frame at one end and snuffer caplever means pivoted at the other end with the snuffer cap secured to oneend of the lever means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a torch according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of the torchwith the snuffer cap in the closed position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of the torchwith the snuffer cap in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a modification ofthe torch;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the upper portion of themodified torch; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 with the snuffer cap inthe open position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the drawings and with particular attention to FIG. 1, the numeral 1designates the torch base with multiple struts 2 extending upwardlytherefrom to form a frame. Struts 2 are bent so as to provide edges 3upon which fuel container 4 is positioned. Extending upwardly from edges3, struts 2 are coextensive with fuel container 4. To complete theframe, multiple rims 5, 6 and 7 act to hold struts 2 in place. Morespecifically, lower rim 5, intermediate rim 6 and upper rim 7 areprovided, the inner surfaces of which are attached to the outer surfacesof struts 2 by any suitable means such as welding.

Attached to the upper edge of upper rim 7 is flame guard 8 with aperture9 formed therein. Wick 10 is positioned in aperture 9 and extends intofuel container 4 as is well known in the art. Of course, fuel container4 is filled with ordinary lamp oil or any other suitable fuel.

According to this invention, snuffer cap 11 is provided and is attachedto lever arm 12 which is bent at approximately its midpoint to form a 90degree angle. Formed on the end of lever arm 12 opposite from snuffercap 11 is helical element 13 and twist knob 14. Attachment bar 15extends through helical element 13 with the free ends thereof attachedto the associated strut 2.

In operation, with the torch as shown in FIG. 3, wick 10 is lighted inthe normal fashion. When it is desired to extinguish the flame, twistknob 14 is simply turned manually in a clockwise direction therebycausing lever arm 12 and associated snuffer cap 11 to rotate from theposition shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 2 such thatsnuffer cap 11 covers wick 10. This action reduces the supply of oxygento wick 10 and extinguishes the flame.

A modified form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 whereinthe basic elements of the torch are the same as the version of theinvention shown in FIGS. 1-3 and those identical elements are identifiedwith the same numerals. The modification resides in the snuffer capopening and closing mechanism wherein clamp 16 is affixed to one of thestruts 2 by any suitable means such as welding and the like. U-shapedclip 17 is provided with inwardly projecting tabs 18 formed on the freeends thereof. Tabs 18 extend through corresponding apertures formed inclamp 16 thereby allowing clip 17 to rotate on clamp 16.

At the end of U-shaped clip 17 opposite from clamp 16, snuffer cap lever19 is provided with integral helical element 20 formed generally at themidpoint thereof. U-shaped clamp 17 extends through helical element 20as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. Snuffer cap 11 is secured to one end ofsnuffer cap lever 19 with manipulation loop 21 formed on the oppositeend thereof. Of course, manual manipulation of loop 21 causes rotationof snuffer cap lever 19 with respect to U-shaped clip 17.

Therefore, by this modified form of the invention, when it is desired toexpose the wick, snuffer cap 11 is removed from its position shown inFIG. 4 to its position shown in FIG. 6. In order to accomplish thisresult, manipulation loop 21, as shown in FIG. 4, is simply rotateddownwardly thereby raising snuffer cap 11 away from wick 10.Simultaneously, snuffer cap lever 19 and associated snuffer cap 11 arerotated downwardly by means of U-shaped clip 17 rotating on bracket 16.This motion is continued until the assembly is maneuvered to theposition shown in FIG. 6. Of course, when it is desired to extinguishthe flame, the process is simply reversed wherein snuffer cap 11 isswung upwardly and into a position covering wick 10.

Therefore, by the modified form of the invention, wick 10 is easily andconveniently covered and uncovered as desired while at the same timekeeping the opening and closing apparatus cool to the user's touch.Additionally, when the mechanism is disposed as shown in FIG. 6, it liesin close proximity to fuel container 4 and does not project outwardly ofthe torch as for instance in connection with the version of theinvention shown in FIG. 3.

Therefore, by this invention, a torch is used essentially forentertainment purposes and allows the user to light the torch and theneasily and conveniently extinguish the flame. Since the snuffer capopening and closing mechanism is spaced from the flame, it is alwayscool to the touch thereby preventing any undesirable injury to the user.

What is claimed is:
 1. A torch comprising a base, multiple strutsupstanding therefrom and multiple rims disposed in abutting relationshipwith respect to said struts to form a frame, a fuel container disposedwithin said frame, a U-shaped clip rotatably attached to said frame todefine a first pivot point at one end thereof, a lever rotatablyattached to said U-shaped clip to define a second pivot point at theother end thereof, a snuffer cap attached to said lever at one endthereof, and said snuffer cap being rotatable about said first andsecond pivot points to a position in close proximity to said fuelcontainer.
 2. A torch according to claim 1 wherein a flame guard cap isattached to the upper edge of said frame and an aperture is formed insaid flame guard cap.
 3. A torch according to claim 2 wherein a wick isdisposed in said aperture and said snuffer cap is adapted to cover saidwick.
 4. A torch according to claim 1 wherein said lever is attached tosaid U-shaped clip by means of a helical element.
 5. A torch accordingto claim 4 wherein said U-shaped clip is rotatably attached to one ofsaid struts and said U-shaped clip is attached to said strut by means ofa bracket.
 6. A torch according to claim 5 wherein said U-shaped clip isrotatably attached to said bracket.
 7. A torch according to claim 4wherein said helical element is disposed generally at the midpoint ofsaid lever.
 8. A torch according to claim 1 wherein struts compriseouter surfaces and wherein said rims are secured to said outer surfaces.